Thursday, May 31, 2012

Not quite there yet, but closer

So it seems this whole low platelet deal isn't a one-time thing.  I guess back when I started chemo I had a healthy reserve of platelets and I've been whittling away at them over the weeks and months and finally used up all my spares, leaving me with the bare minimum (or less).  Short version is that I've had to delay my chemo again.  This time I had about 83,000 platelets per microliter, better than last time but still only about half the lower normal limit and too low to start my chemo.  They're going to check my blood again next week before giving me the go-ahead.  At least they'd better, because all these office visit co-pays are starting to add up.  If I'd known it was going to be this expensive I never would have agreed to have cancer in the first place.  Anyway, we're likely going to change my treatment schedule to 5 days on, 4 weeks off, instead of just 3 weeks off.  The chemo has worn me down.  I need more time to recover.  It boggles my mind that just two months ago they were thinking of upping my dose by about 30%. 

Work's been hard.  Deadlines are deadlines and I hate making excuses for myself, even if they're really good ones, but I've had a lot of trouble focusing lately.  I know that I need to keep working, for the money, the insurance and for the sake of my own emotions.  I just never really expected it to be like this.  You ask someone, what would they do if they knew they didn't have long to live.  No one ever says, "well gee, I suppose I'd keep working a full-time office job."  I'm one seizure away from that no longer being an option.  Of course that seizure would end a lot of other things as well, including the sense of freedom and independence I get from being a mostly-functional adult with my own car, my own keys, and my own home.  I'm one seizure away from being a kid again, but I don't want to go back there.  I just wish I wasn't stuck in this limbo, this constant state of "quasi-dying," where sickness and despair makes it harder for me to work but work makes it possible for me to have anything other than sickness and despair.  If this had just hit me a few decades later, maybe I'd have enough in savings for an early retirement.  As if that's the only reason to wish cancer had waited a while longer.  The other day a co-worker of mine told me I was lucky to be fighting this while I'm still young and strong.  I couldn't help but sarcastically reply, "yeah, it would have sucked if I didn't get cancer until my fifties or sixties."  He admitted that yeah, that was a dumb thing for him to say, but I reassured him that I knew what he meant and appreciated the sentiment.

Over the weekend I visited my parents to celebrate my recent birthday (I should probably update those "29s," but for some reason they all look so much nicer than "30s").  It was stressful, to say the least.  They invited over a few other relatives, including some that are a bit too high-energy for me.  Strange, active people.  I put on a brave face and soldiered through it, for my mom's sake rather than my own.  I felt cornered, in part due to my position at their too-small table in their too-small kitchen, and also because I was the center of attention at a party better suited to someone a third my age.  By the end I'd had enough.  Over the last year I've developed a far greater capability to withstand discomfort, but I've also lost a lot of patience for utter nonsense.  I think there was supposed to be some sort of puppet show but I politely excused myself and slipped out to have a moment to rest.  I felt beyond exhausted and had trouble keeping my thoughts straight.  I had trouble forming opinions, and articulating them.  I didn't feel I was safe to drive, so I spent the night on an uncomfortable air mattress on the TV room floor.  My brother and his wife were using the bedroom I'd used during the month after my surgery, when I'd stayed with my parents.

I don't get to see either of them often enough.  My brother isn't an outwardly emotional person.  He doesn't like physical contact, or expressing things as scary and dangerous as feelings.  He shows his affection in other ways, and over this last year he's been there for me in every way he could, given that he lives half-way across the country.  We'd kept in touch through e-mail but this was the first time we'd met face-to-face since before my surgery.  I know that it must have been emotional for him.  I wonder what he thought I'd become, and how close I was to his expectations.  Did he feel relief that I am so close to what I used to be, or sorrow at the significance of my shaved scalp, and that scar over my brow?

He, his wife and I spent some time together.  That's all I'd really wanted.  Not some party with loud relatives, or "events," or "activities."  I just wanted to be with my brother and sister-in-law for a while. 

Maybe it's time for me to do something other than struggle for adequacy.  I can't retire, but I can take vacations.  That sounds like the sort of thing a 30-year-old does from time to time, right?

10 comments:

  1. I think a vacation would probably be the best thing. It takes you away from the same surroundings and allows you to not think about tumors but just be old self. We did that in Feb and it helped us forget about MRIs, blood tests and doctor visits.

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    1. Well, the problem is my old self wasn't the sort to take vacations. I'd usually take a half a day or a day off here and there and just sleep in or relax at home. Of course there's nothing saying that I can't explore a new self that takes vacations without thinking about cancer. :)

      Any recommendations? I've always wanted to see New Zealand, but I'm not sure I can fit that into my budget right now. I could drive to Canada, but would that really be all that different from where I live?

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  2. Knightly,
    I don't know what to say, but I want to give you some encouragement.
    As a wife of 40 years to Duke, watching this nightmare unfold I can relate to your feelings. Duke, however, is somewhat oblivious to what is happening. He always thanks me for all of my help, which for some reason strikes me odd, because I meant my vows all those years ago and I'm just living them. Is it any consolation that all of us are dying?
    I know what you mean about insurance too. Duke is on disability and we are paying out of pocket for insurance. The hospital billing office called today about a balance we have to which I am sending 50 dollars a month. I feel like saying you didn't fix my husband so why do we have to pay.
    Maybe I should start my own blog.
    I want you to know you are in my prayers, I know you are not religious but that's ok. Hang in there Knightly, as always I'm in your corner,
    Joan

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    1. Thank you, Joan. Your encouragement means a lot to me.

      It's true that the hospital didn't cure Duke (or myself), but it did buy us some more time, right?

      I'm not religious, but when you pray for me you're wishing me the best and your own belief is sincere when you appeal to a higher power to aid me. I think that counts for something, and I thank you for it.

      Let me know if you start a blog. You've got your first reader right here.

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    2. how do I start a blog Knightly?
      joan

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    3. Check out www.blogger.com. It's free, integrated into Google, and will walk you through the whole process. It's what I use here.

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  3. Vacations and rest were really helpful for me- do it! (I even got a month off of chemo to go on our honeymoon! Our honeymoon was not a month, but I got the whole month delayed) The break is awesome but focusing on beautiful locations really helped me. How about the Caribbean? Its hot, but not so far from New England.... I'm in FL, and the Bahamas is so close.
    Most (healthy) people don't realize that its not just the cancer and chemo that is exhausting, but all of the appointments and numbers and new medical terms! And we have to do all of this while dealing with chemo brain. I'm on the other side of it now, and it is awesome. It took about 2 months for my body to clear out the chemo, but I feel much better now. Healthy living helps too. Praying for you!

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    1. The Caribbean might be a little too hot for me. I don't like to sweat. On the other hand, the islands around there have some beautiful coastlines.

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  4. I agree with Laura that the Caribbean is a good vacation spot. I have never been to Harbor Island in the Bahamas but I heard it is a nice place. Been to Cayman Island and can recommend it. Just having a change of scenery is a great idea. Have spent some time in London. Its a great place to explore but it is a longer flight. Need more recommendations?

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    1. I think I'm good. I was actually considering heading over to Detroit. Not exactly the most popular vacation spot, but after the recession there are tons of abandoned buildings. I'd imagine there are plenty of squatters too, which gives me pause. Those guys aren't always the most pleasant company.

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